By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Ada Township recently published the results of the Ada Village Design Charrette that brought to the fore a wealth of ideas for attracting commerce and maintaining the charm of the central village. In response, the Ada Township board and the Charrette Task Force are laying the groundwork for several multi-million-dollar catalyst projects identified during the charrette process.
Among the projects are replacement of the M-21 highway bridge across the Grand River; major street improvements, including new sidewalks, safety improvements to the village's two railroad underpasses, and extensions of three streets to Fulton Street (M-21); and, converting the portion of Fulton Street East in front of Alticor into a landscaped boulevard.
"The charrette task force is continuing and we have formed subcommittees to handle road projects, administrative issues such as the possible development of a Downtown Development Authority, and other issues," said Ada Township Planning Director Jim Ferro.
A private sector task force will coordinate efforts among commercial property owners and serve as an outside source of leadership for the governmental entities, Ferro said.
Input based on the charrette report was submitted to the Michigan Department of Transportation in November regarding the highway bridge, which will be replaced in 2009.
"[The replacement bridge] has no plans for pedestrian and bike traffic," Ferro said. "The design charrette has a suggested rendering that shows some of the design elements we think should be included."
Those elements are a protected pedestrian/bicycle lane, an esthetically pleasing appearance in keeping with the bridge's role as a gateway to the village, landscaping, and decorative lighting.
Township staff and the charrette task force will meet with MDOT in April to talk about the bridge replacement and the proposed boulevard on Fulton Street East. Further research and planning is needed before any of the changes suggested by the report will be implemented.
Source: Jim Ferro, Ada Township
www.ada.mi.us
Deborah Johnson Wood is the Development News Editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be reached at [email protected].
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